By Brenda Black
While remembering the tragedy and
terror of 11 years ago, we are freshly reminded again this week in a
new and offensive way just how far we have not come, and how old
wounds never heal if they keep being ripped open and salt poured on
them. As much as I'd like to lash out at the heinous violence that
cut such a deep gash in our American soul and has continued to stab
her heart for more than a decade, I'll refrain. As much as I'd like
to rebuke the ignorant methods we've employed to secure safety since
2011, I'll keep my mouth shut. As much as I'd like to rant about the
political ignorance that whittles away at our worldwide credibility
and here on U.S. soil, I won't. Anyone with half a brain and one
crossed eye can see hate and ignorance. No need for a spotlight or a
commentator.
Neither will hateful acts the world
over cease until there is perfect peace. Don't go looking for it as a
result of puny, ill-timed and insulting apologies. Don't think it
will arrive on the tails of brutal force. Peace may be sought and
prayed for, but it will not come in a world that forsakes the true
God of Peace – Jehovah God
It has been estimated that out of
3,530 years of recorded history, there were 286 years of peace,
14,351 of war and 3.64 billion people killed. More than 8,000
"peace" treaties were made and broken. That's a pretty
lousy platform on which to place the possibility of long-term peace
here on earth. For, most certainly, the numbers have increased
abundantly on the war and death side since these figures were
documented.
Why no peace? People have forgotten
Jehovah Shalom “The Lord is Peace.” As Jehovah-jireh, God
provides redemption from bondage. As Jehovah-rophe, He heals
sicknesses and sorrows. Jehovah-nissi is our banner of victory, but
we suffer defeats because we turn our back on Him. When we deny the
power and provision of God Almighty, we lose our peace and we lose
our liberty.
The One True God alone can heal the
broken hearted. He is the God who sees and the God who cares. We
cried out to Him when the Twin Towers fell. We pulled together as a
grieving nation and professed sweeping faith in Jesus...for a little
while. Then we went back to our wicked, self-centered ways. And
lately, it seems with an arrogant vengeance, we shout out “NO!”
to having God in our lives at all!
Still, He waits, longing to rescue us
and deliver peace if only we would trust Him and obey. Ironically
Psalm 9:11 begins “Sing praises to the Lord,
enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”
It continues through verse 20: “For he who avenges blood
remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O Lord, see
how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates
of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of the
Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation. The nations
have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the
net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked
are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked return to the
grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always
be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O
Lord, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your
presence. Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know they
are but men.”
This passage in Psalm ends with a
musical term“Selah,” which means to give pause and think. So
think about this: Peace will not come through murderous intolerance.
It will not come to one who is indifferent. Peace is not possible
apart from the Holy Spirit living in the hearts of men, convicting
them of sin.
“Those who live according to the
sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but
those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on
what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the
mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-6)
For years, I've prayed over my sons a
blessing that ends “May the Lord turn His face toward you and give
you peace.” And to you who read this column today, I give you a
blessing as well: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you
through and through.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23a)
He's our only chance, our only hope,
our only peace in a world defiled by hate.
copyright 2012 - The Word's Out - Brenda Black
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